
FT MEADE 
GenCol1 


Laura Rountree 





















































MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


Books by 

LAURA ROUNTREE 
SMITH 


Bunny and Bear Book, The 
Bunny Boy and Grizzly Bear 
Bunny Bright-Eyes 
Bunny Cotton-Tail Junior 
Candy-Shop Cotton-Tails, The 
Children’s Favorite Stories 
Circus Book, The 
Circus Cotton-Tails, The 
Cotton-Tail First Reader, The 
Cotton-Tail Primer, The 
Cotton-Tails in Toyland, The 
Drills and Plays for Patriotic Days 
Games and Plays 

Hawk-Eye, An Indian Story Reader 
Language Lessons from Every Land 
Little Bear 
Little Eskimo 

Merry Little Cotton-Tails, The 
Mother Goose Stories 
Primary Song Book 
Roly-Poly Book, The 
Runaway Bunny, The 
Seventeen Little Bears 
Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes 
Tale of Bunny Cotton-Tail, The 
Three Little Cotton-Tails 


Published by 

A. FLANAGAN COMPANY 
CHICAGO 









MERRY LITTLE 
COTTON-TAILS 


By 

LAURA ROUNTREE SMITH 

i » 


ILLUSTRATED BY 

FRED STEARNS 


1923 

A. FLANAGAN COMPANY 

CHICAGO 



COPYRIGHT. 


PRINTED 


1923, BY A. FLANAGAN COMPANY 


?Z,o 

.3 

.$ 654 - 

Me 



u i 
* *> 1 


IN THE UNITED STATES 

0Cl i w luilO ^ 


si 


OF AMERICA 


©C1A761289 c/ 




CONTENTS 


Grandpa Grumbles’ Letter. 7 

Circus Tricks . 12 

Bunny and Susan Go Visiting. 16 

A Ride on the Merry-Go-Round. 23 

Bunny’s Sore Paw. 27 

d'he Wonderful Lamp. 31 

The Circus Animal Cookies. 35 

Grandpa Grumbles’ Circus. 39 

The Measles .,..... 42 

Playing Santa Claus. 46 

Christmas Morning . 52 

The Two Umbrellas. 53 

Grandpa Grumbles’ Umbrellas. 54 

All Aboard! .. .. 58 

Getting Ready for the Circus. ..,. 59 

The Big Parade . 64 

Home Again .. . 69 

Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes. 75 

Dancing Away. 76 

A Bunny in a Snowdrift.,. 77 

The Broken Nose. 81 

The Sick Bunny.,. 86 

Going on a Visit. 87 

A Bucket of Water.,.*. 90 

Bushy-Tail’s Mistake . 93 

Snubby Nose and the Mirror. 95 

Bushy-Tail’s Tricks . 97 

Snubby Nose Returns....,. 100 

A Jolly Ride. 102 

New Visitors. 104 

An Exciting Ride .... . 108 

A Visit from Bushy-Tail.'.. no 

Where Is Bushy-Tail?. 114 

A Lesson in Manners. 116 

Skating and Sleighing. 118 

Telling Stories . 121 

Planting the Garden. 124 

The Bunnies’ Circus. 125 









































“The big show began” (Page 68) 


































Merry Little Cotton-Tails 



GRANDPA GRUMBLES’ LETTER 

One day Grandpa Grumbles was lonesome. 

He opened his shutters and looked out of the 
window. Down the street he saw the postman 
coming. 

The postman stopped at the gate and came up 
on the porch. 

Now Grandpa Grumbles was a funny old bear. 
He always grumbled when the postman went past 
without stopping. To-day he grumbled when the 
postman stopped. 

He said: 

“Muddy feet on the porch and walk— 

And never a minute to stop and talk!” 


7 













8 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


Sure enough, the postman had not a minute to 
stop but went on down the street. 

Just then Bushy-Tail, the fox, came limping 
along. He was pretending that he was lame. 

Grandpa Grumbles said to him: 

“Bushy-Tail, I’m feeling better; 

You’re just in time to read my letter.” 

So Bushy-Tail took the letter and read: 

“Surprise Town. 

The Moon of Strawberries. 

Dear Grandpa Grumbles: 

We are going to come to see you soon in the 
Moon of Strawberries and surprise you with our 
tricks. Be sure to open your shutters early to¬ 
morrow morning and look at the house next door. 
The next time we come, we shall be sure to sur¬ 
prise you. 

Your friends, 

The Merry Little Cotton-Tails.” 

Grandpa Grumbles shook his green cotton Um¬ 
brella in the air and shouted fiercely: 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


9 



“The Merry Little Cotton-Tails” 


“This puts me in an awful fix! 

I don’t like surprises; I don’t like tricks.” 

Bushy-Tail was scared and ran off down the 
road. 

But the old cotton Umbrella said, “Why not 
wait until you see what the surprise is, Grandpa 
Grumbles 1 ?” 

But Grandpa Grumbles was still cross. 

Next day Grandpa Grumbles looked out of his 
window. He was so surprised that he stopped 
grumbling. 

He was surprised to see smoke coming from the 
chimney of the house next door. The house had 
been empty. But now some one must be living 
there. 





10 MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 

Grandpa Grumbles took his Umbrella and 
started over to the house next door. 

The Umbrella asked him, “Now is it wise 
To go out looking for a surprise 4 ?” 

But Grandpa Grumbles would not listen. 

At this moment the Merry Little Cotton-Tails 
came tumbling out of the house. They came 
tumbling out of the back door and the front door. 
They came tumbling out of the front windows and 
the back windows. There were twenty-six of 
them. 

They all ran to Grandpa Grumbles and danced 
around him in a ring. 

Snubby Nose took his Umbrella. Tippy Toes 
stood on the porch and waved his paw, crying, 
“Hurrah!” 

The Merry Little Cotton-Tails cried, “We have 
been traveling with a circus, Grandpa Grumbles. 
Do come with us and join the circus!” 

Grandpa Grumbles said: 

“With the postman I’d rather go, 

Sometimes fast, and sometimes slow.” 



“Danced around him in a ring” 


































































































































12 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


Round and round danced the Merry Little Cot¬ 
ton-Tails. They were all around the house. 
Grandpa Grumbles saw them peeping out of the 
windows. 

He was so surprised that he forgot to grumble. 
All this time, the Umbrella was having a sur¬ 
prise of its own. 

It said to Grandpa Grumbles: 

“An Umbrella many strange sights can see; 
The Weather Vane’s making faces at me!” 

CIRCUS TRICKS 

Next day Grandpa Grumbles awoke early again. 
He looked out of his window and saw Snubby 
Nose. 

Snubby Nose was practicing his circus tricks. 
He was walking a tight rope. All the time he 
waved an open umbrella. 

Grandpa Grumbles grew very excited and shook 
his green cotton Umbrella at Snubby Nose. 

He shouted: 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


13 



“On a beautiful white horse” 


“I do not like such tricks at all! 

Come down, sir, or you’ll have a fall!” 

Then he called all the other little Cotton-Tails 
to come and take Snubby Nose off the tight rope. 
They came tumbling out of the doors and the win¬ 
dows. 

\ 

They said to Grandpa Grumbles: 

‘'Snubby Nose likes to perform that way; 

He’s practicing for Circus Day.” 

Just then Tippy Toes came around the house, 
riding on a beautiful white horse. 

He wore a red jacket, and his little cotton tail 
stuck out behind. 

He shouted, “Who will put up the circus tent?” 

The Merry Little Cotton-Tails looked at Grand- 



14 MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 

pa Grumbles. So he thought they wanted him to 
put up the tent. 

He said: 

“It’s hard to put up tents, I’m told; 

For work like that I’m far too old! 

The little Cotton-Tails laughed and pulled him 
out into the back yard. There stood the circus 
tent ready to be put up. 

In less than no time, the little Cotton-Tails had 
fastened the circus tent down at the corners. 
Grandpa Grumbles tried to help them. But he 
grumbled so much that he could not work fast. 

When the tent was ready, the little Cotton-Tails 
cried, “Come into the tent, Grandpa Grumbles, 
and we will give you a ride on the merry-go- 
round.” 

Grandpa Grumbles shouted, “I will not go into 
the tent. I will not ride on the merry-go-round.” 

So the little Cotton-Tails got behind him and 
pushed him into the circus tent. There stood the 
merry-go-round with its ring of white horses. 

The music began to play. The Merry Little 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


15 


Cotton-Tails jumped on the horses. The merry- 
go-round began to turn. Round and round it 
went, faster and faster. 

Grandpa Grumbles stood looking at it. 

At last he said to himself, “That must be a lot 
of fun! I think I should like to ride on the merry- 
go-round.” 

Then he called to the Merry Little Cotton-Tails 
to stop the merry-go-round. But they could not 
stop it. 

Grandpa Grumbles shook his green cotton Um¬ 
brella at it and shouted, “I want to ride! I want 
to ride!” 

By and by the merry-go-round stopped with a • 
jerk. Then it would not go at all. 

It had broken down. The Merry Little Cotton- 
Tails tumbled off their horses and began to fix it. 

Grandpa Grumbles went home, waving his Um¬ 
brella and grumbling every step of the way. He 
grumbled because he did not get a ride.. 

When he reached home, he said to his Umbrella, 

“I believe I will write a letter to Bunny and Susan 


16 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


Cotton-Tail. I will ask them to come and visit 
me. I will tell them about the Merry Little Cot¬ 
ton-Tails.” 

He looked all around his house, grumbling: 

“Where are my paper, pen, and ink? 

Just where I put them, I can’t think.’ 

At last he found them. He sat down and began 
to write. 

He told Bunny and Susan how lonesome he was. 
He asked them to visit him. 

He wrote, “I am sure you will like the Merry 
Little Cotton-Tails. If you will come, I will give 
you a ride on the merry-go-round.” 

Then he put a stamp on his letter and mailed it. 

BUNNY AND SUSAN GO VISITING 

Bunny and Susan Cotton-Tail were in their lit¬ 
tle house. They sat by the fire. Bunny was read¬ 
ing by candlelight. 

Susan said, “I hear a rap-a-tap-tap.” 

Bunny took the candle and went to the door. 




MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


17 



"They sat by the fire” 


Susan said, “Do be careful, Bunny. Don’t burn 
your paw.” 

Bunny could see no one at the door. But he 
found a letter in the letter box. 

He said, “Oh, Susan, who could have written 
us a letter?” 

Susan said, “Why not open the envelope and 
see?” 

Bunny cried, “Now that is a very fine idea, 
Susan!” 

So he opened the envelope and they read the let¬ 
ter. It was the one Grandpa Grumbles had 
written them. 











18 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 



“He found a letter” 


When Bunny came to the part about the Merry 
Little Cotton-Tails, he said, “I should like to meet 
the Merry Little Cotton-Tails. 5 ’ 

Susan said, “I never saw a merry-go-round. I 
think I should like to ride on one . 55 

Then said Bunny, “Let us go on a visit to 
Grandpa Grumbles to-morrow. You write the 
letter, Susan, and tell him we will come.” 

Just then Susan began to wail and cry. 

“Oh dear!” she cried. “I have lost my specta¬ 
cles ! 55 

Sure enough, Susan’s spectacles were gone. 
Bunny and Susan looked upstairs and downstairs. 
But they could not find the spectacles. 

By and by they opened their traveling bag. 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


19 


There in the bag were Susan's lost spectacles. 

Susan put them on. Then she wrote the letter 
to Grandpa Grumbles. 

Suddenly Bunny went too near the candle and 
burned his paw. My, how he cried! 

Susan said: 

“When I get rich and have lots of money, 
We'll get us electric lights, dear Bunny. 
Electric lights are the safest of all, 

With a little button set in the wall." 

Next day Bunny and Susan awoke very early. 
They were going to visit Grandpa Grumbles. 

Susan said, “I will make some cookies to take 
to Grandpa Grumbles." 

So she got out the rolling-pin and the cooky 
cutter. She got eggs and butter and sugar. Then 
she opened her book that had in it the rule for 
making cookies. 

This was the rule: 

This cooky rule’s for all to use, 

And you may learn it if you choose. 


20 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


One cup of sugar you should take, 

One cup of butter, like a cake; 

One half a cup of sour milk, too, 

And mix them well; all good cooks do; 

One pinch of soda and one egg; 

Now don’t forget these things, I beg. 

Use flour enough—a cup or so, 

Then cut the cookies from the dough. 

Susan cut out the cookies. She cut some like 
circus animals and some like clowns. 

She said, “Grandpa Grumbles likes cookies so 
well that we will fill a basket for him.” 

Bunny said, “I will take a wheelbarrow full of 
radishes.” 

Then Bunny packed his traveling bag and put 
on his tall hat. Susan wore her red sunbonnet. 

So they started out together. Bunny wheeled 
the wheelbarrow full of radishes and Susan car¬ 
ried the basket of cookies. 



“The Merry Little Cotton-Tails took off their caps'’ 










































































22 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


As they went through the woods they had an 
adventure. They came upon the Merry Little 
Cotton-Tails standing all in a row. 

The Merry Little Cotton-Tails took off their 
caps and made a bow to Bunny and Susan. 

Just then Bushy-Tail went by. He did not 
look at the Merry Little Cotton-Tails. He did 
not seem to see Bunny and Susan. 

He was saying to himself: 

“To Grandpa Grumbles’ house I’m bound, 

To see his jolly merry-go-round.” 

When he was out of sight, Bunny said to Susan, 
“I am glad Bushy-Tail is gone.”' 

The Merry Little Cotton-Tails still stood in a 
row and bowed. So Susan and Bunny bowed to 
them. 

Then the little bunnies danced a merry dance, 
singing, “Come and ride on the merry-go-round!” 

Then they danced away through the wood. 
Bunny and Susan went on to Grandpa Grumbles 5 
house. 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


23 



A RIDE ON THE MERRY-GO-ROUND 

At the door of his house Grandpa Grumbles met 
his visitors. 

Susan Cotton-Tail was carrying her basket of 
cookies. Bunny was wheeling his wheelbarrow 
full of radishes. 

Grandpa Grumbles said, “I am glad to see you, 
Bunny and Susan. I was lonesome. Are those 
cookies and radishes for me’?” 

“They are all for you, Grandpa Grumbles,” said 
Bunny and Susan. 

Grandpa Grumbles was very pleased. He put 
the radishes into a large basket and set the basket 
of cookies on the pantry shelf. 

Then Bunny said, “We met the Merry Little 







24 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


Cotton-Tails on the road, Grandpa Grumbles. 
Just then Bushy-Tail passed us . 77 

“Aha ! 77 cried Grandpa Grumbles. “Bushy-Tail 
must be up to one of his tricks ! 77 

Then he put on his overcoat, saying, “We will 
go to Bushv-TaiFs den. We will find out what 
he is doing to the Merry Little Cotton-Tails. 
Climb into that wheelbarrow and I will wheel 
you . 77 

So Susan and Bunny climbed into the empty 

wheelbarrow. Grandpa Grumbles wheeled them 

to Bushv-TaiFs den. 

* 

“Bushy-Tail, come out ! 77 shouted Grandpa 
Grumbles. “Where are the Merry Little Cotton- 

Tails ? 77 

% 

From inside his den, Bushy-Tail called, “Flow 
should I know? Don’t bother me ! 77 

Grandpa Grumbles roared, 'None of your tricks, 
sir! None of your tricks! Come out, sir ! 77 

Then out came Bushy-Tail, beating a drum. Be¬ 
hind him marched the Merry Little Cotton-Tails. 
Let us all go home and ride on the merry-go- 



"The little Cotton-Tails began to tumble off” 



























26 MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 

round,” they cried. “Come along, Bushy-Tail. 

So they all went back to Grandpa Grumbles’ 
house. There Bushy-Tail saw the basket of 
radishes Susan and Bunny had brought. His 

mouth watered for them. 

Then he saw Susans cookies and he wanted 
them even more than the radishes. 

He went with Grandpa Grumbles and the little 
Cotton-Tails to the circus tents. He wound up 
the merry-go-round. 

Then the music started. Grandpa Grumbles 
and Susan and Bunny and the twenty-six little 
Cotton-Tails rode on the merry-go-round. Bushy- 
Tail stood beside it and beat his drum. 

Round and round went the merry-go-round, 
faster and faster. 

“Stop it!” cried Grandpa Grumbles. 

But Bushy-Tail had wound it up so that it 
would not stop. He pretended not to hear and 
went on beating his drum. 

The merry-go-round went so fast that the little 
Cotton-Tails began to tumble off. Bunny lost 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


27 


his hat. Grandpa Grumbles rolled off, head over 
heels. 

“Bushy-Tail,” cried Susan Cotton-Tail, “will 
you stop it if I give you some cookies'?” 

That was just what Bushy-Tail wanted. 
“Where are the cookies'?” he shouted. 

“On the pantry shelf,” called Susan. 
Bushy-Tail stopped the merry-go-round so sud¬ 
denly that it gave a jerk. Then all the rest of 
the little Cotton-Tails tumbled off. 

But Bushy-Tail did not care. He seized Susan’s 
basket of cookies from the pantry shelf and ran 
home with them. 

BUNNY’S SORE PAW 

Next morning Bunny’s paw hurt him very much. 

That was the paw he had burned in the candle 

« 

flame. 

“Poor Bunny!” said Susan. “Let me tie it up 
again.” 

Grandpa Grumbles shouted, “Breakfast is 


28 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 



“Bunny’s paw hurt him very much” 


ready! Come down to breakfast. Maybe that will 
cure your sore paw!” 

So Susan and Bunny went downstairs to break¬ 
fast. But Bunny could not eat a bite. His paw 
hurt him worse than ever. 

While they were at breakfast the Merry Little 
Cotton-Tails came tumbling in at the windows. 

They shouted, “Everyone get ready for the big 
parade!” 

“Parade!” cried Bunny. “What parade?” 

“Circus parade, of course!” shouted Snubby 
Nose. ‘ Didn’t you know that we bunnies belong 
to the circus?” 

He was beating a drum; and my, what a noise 
he made! 

“Hurrah! I want to see the circus parade!” 
cried Bunny. 







MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


29 


For a minute he forgot all about his sore paw. 
He could think only of the circus and the big 
parade. 

Then all the little Cotton-Tails shouted, “Let 
us invite Susan and Bunny and Grandpa Grumbles 
to join our parade.” 

This made Susan and Bunny and Grandpa 
Grumbles very happy. Bunny was so pleased that 
he cried, “Hurrah!” and waved his sore paw. That 
made it hurt again. 

“Oh dear, oh dear!” he wailed. 

“Never mind,” said Grandpa Grumbles. “I 
will take you and Susan to the circus. That will 
cure your paw. I have plenty of money in my 
moneybags.” 

He got out his moneybags and began to count 
his money. All the little Cotton-Tails crowded 
around him. 

They cried, “Give us a penny, Grandpa Grum¬ 
bles. Give us each a penny!” 

Grandpa Grumbles grumbled very hard indeed. 
He said: 


30 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


“Of Cotton-Tails there are too many 
For me to give you each a penny; 

I’ll toss a handful in the air; 

Let every bunny grab his share!” 

So he tossed up a handful of pennies and all the 
bunnies scrambled for them. 

Then he put away all his moneybags but one. 
He took this to Susan Cotton-Tail and they 
whispered together. 

At last Susan said, “Let us go right away.” 

So Susan and Grandpa Grumbles took the 
moneybag and started off to town. 

The Merry Little Cotton-Tails begged to go 
with them. 

But Susan said, “No, you must stay at home.” 

Now why do you suppose Susan and Grandpa 
Grumbles were going to town? They were going 
to buy Bunny a lamp. 

“He is always burning himself by the candle 
flame,” said Susan. 

“Perhaps he won’t burn himself so much with 
a lamp,” said Grandpa Grumbles. 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


31 



THE WONDERFUL LAMP 

Susan and Grandpa Grumbles went merrily 
along to the lamp store. They looked at all the 
new lamps. Then they saw the strangest-looking 
lamp. There was nothing else like it in the store. 

Susan bought it and they started home with it. 

“Bunny will like it,” Susan said, “because it has 
such a queer shape and is carved so oddly.” 

The lamp was very dusty. So she rubbed it 
with her bonnet strings. 

All of a sudden, there stood a fairy in the path 
before Susan and Grandpa Grumbles. My, how 
astonished they were! 

The fairy smiled at them and said: 

“Any wish you think or say 
You shall have without delay.” 










32 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


Grandpa Grumbles understood it all in a minute. 

“Oho!” he cried. “We have bought Aladdin’s 
lamp. We can wish by it and our wishes will 
come true! Very well, I wish for an automobile 
big enough to take all the Merry Little Cotton- 
Tails riding.” 

In a twinkling the fairy was gone. And a fine, 
big automobile stood there in the path before them. 

“Get in, Susan,” cried Grandpa Grumbles. “We 
shall have a fine ride home.” 

Susan got into the car and Grandpa Grumbles 
tried to start it. But he could not make it go. 

He grumbled: 

“What foolish animals we are! 

We don’t know how to run a car!” 

Susan now thought of the wonderful wishing 
lamp and gave it a good, hard rub. The fairy 
appeared. 

Then Susan said, “Please send us old Grandpa 
Grizzly.” 

Quick as a wink, up popped Grandpa Grizzly, 



“There stood a fairy in the path before Susan and Grandpa Grumbles” 



















34 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


the oldest bear in the world. He wanted to know 
what was the matter. 

Susan said: 

“Grandpa Grizzly, do you know 
How to make a new car go?” 

Grandpa Grizzly did not answer a word. He 
just sat down and took hold of the wheel. 

Then they began to ride along so fast that 
Grandpa Grumbles lost his Umbrella. Next, the 
wind blew Susan’s sunbonnet away. 

They had to stop to get the sunbonnet and 
Umbrella. 

Then Grandpa Grizzly drove faster and faster 
and brought them home safe and sound. 

Bunny Cotton-Tail was looking for them. He 
was much surprised to see Grandpa Grumbles’ new 
automobile. The Merry Little Cotton-Tails were 
so glad that they danced up and down. 

Susan put the lamp on the table and said, “See 
the fine wishing lamp Grandpa Grumbles bought 
you, Bunny!” 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


35 


Bunny said, “Oh, thank you, Grandpa Grum¬ 
bles / 5 

Then Grandpa Grumbles invited all the little 
Cotton-Tails and Bunny and Susan to ride with 
him in his automobile. 

The Merry Little Cotton-Tails cried, “Hur¬ 
rah ! 55 and piled into the automobile. 

Grandpa Grizzly drove the car and they had a 
merry ride. 


THE CIRCUS ANIMAL COOKIES 

Bushy-Tail ran down the road with Susan Cot¬ 
ton-Tail’s basket of cookies. They were the cook¬ 
ies he had taken when he had stopped the merry- 
go-round. 

That bad fox said to himself, “I shall have a 
fine feast ! 55 

Then he heard little voices coming from the 
basket. 

They said, “Let’s bite off his ear! Let’s bite off 
his tail!” 


36 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 



“They were all alive” 


Bushy-Tail was scared and set the basket down. 
Then off came the lid and the cookies came tumb¬ 
ling out of the basket, one by one. They were all 
alive! 

Bushy-Tail thought he must be dreaming. He 
did not know that Susan had cut her cookies in 
the shapes of circus animals and people. There 
were clowns and trick horses and elephants. 

They all ran along the road in front of Bushy- 
Tail. They ran so fast that he could not keep up 
with them. 

When Bushy-Tail reached his den, they were 
there waiting for him. They began to pound and 
beat him. 

Their little voices cried, Ck So you will take Susan 
Cotton-Tail’s cookies, will you*?” 

The clown drummers beat their drums right in 
his ears. The noise was dreadful. The cooky 



“Regan to pound, and beat him” 


























38 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


elephants stood in a row upon him and jumped up 
and down. 

The other cookies pinched him until he cried, 
“Help, help!” 

When he went to bed they beat him black and 
blue and he could not sleep. 

Next day they made him eat cookies all day long. 
Wherever he went he found a plate of cookies be¬ 
fore him. He had to eat them all. The circus 
cookies followed him everywhere and beat him un¬ 
til he ate the cookies. 

By the time night came, he was tired and stiff 
and sore. He could scarcely get back to his den. 
By that time the circus cookies were gone. 

He said to himself, “I never want to see another 
cooky as long as I live!” 

He went to sleep, singing this little song: 

“ ‘Tis true I play tricks now and then, 

But now I’ll never steal again; 

And cookies I’ll not even borrow; 

I’ve learned a lesson, to my sorrow!” 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


39 


GRANDPA GRUMBLES 5 CIRCUS 

Early one morning the Merry Little Cotton- 
Tails were making a great noise. The noise 
awakened Grandpa Grumbles. 

He went downstairs to see what was the mat¬ 
ter. He grumbled every step of the way. He 
looked across at the house of the twenty-six little 
Cotton-Tails. 

There they were practicing their circus tricks. 
Snubby Nose was walking the tight rope. Tippy 
Toes was jumping through a hoop. 

“Well , 55 said Grandpa Grumbles to himself, “I 
might as well have a circus of my own. It wouldn’t 
make any more noise ! 55 

He thought very hard for awhile. 

Then he said, “If I bought a big show, we could 
all join it. I could take the tickets . 55 

At last he got out some of his moneybags and 
loaded them into the wheelbarrow. He put on 
his checkerboard coat and his checkerboard cap. 


40 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 



"And away he went” 


He did not tell anyone why or where he was 
going. 

“Grandpa Grumbles is going away!” shouted 
the Merry Little Cotton-Tails; and they all came 
tumbling over to say good-bye to him. 

“How long shall you stay?” asked Susan and 
Bunny. 

Grandpa Grumbles waved his checkerboard cap 
and shouted: 

“How long shall I stay? 

I only can say 

I’m off and away 

For a year and a day.” 

And away he went. He was gone a year and a 
day, but the time passed quickly. 

The Merry Little Cotton-Tails practiced their 



MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


41 


tricks every day. One day Snubby Nose and 
Tippy Toes looked out of the window. 

They cried: 

‘Grandpa Grumbles, I do declare, 

Is coming home with a Circus Bear!” 

Sure enough, Grandpa Grumbles was coming 
home with a bear who danced and played the fife! 

Marching down the road behind him were nine 
elephants and six camels. The elephants wore 
red blankets and the camels wore blankets of red 
and gold. 

The animals went into the Cotton-Tails’ circus 
tent and began to perform. 

The bunnies cried, “Hurrah, hurrah! Oh, Grand¬ 
pa Grumbles, are these animals yours?” 

“Of course they are,” said Grandpa Grumbles. 
“I bought them for my circus. Everybody get 
ready for.the big show!” 

So all day long, the Merry Little Cotton-Tails 
rode on the elephants and camels and practiced 
their tricks. 


42 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


The Circus Bear stood on his head; and then 
he danced. He danced so well that all the little 
Cotton-Tails begged him to teach them his dance. 

He bowed to them and said : 

“Your dancing, too, they say, is fine; 

You teach me yours; T 11 teach you mine/’ 

He was a very polite bear, you see. 

Everybody had a good time. Grandpa Grum¬ 
bles was so happy that he forgot to grumble. He 
was sorry when night came and the circus came to 
an end. 

“We will have a circus here every day?” he said. 

THE MEASLES 

The next morning when Grandpa Grumbles 
woke up, he did not hear a sound. It made him 
lonesome to have everything so silent. 

He said: 

“I miss the noise. How quiet they keep! 

Can the Cotton-Tails still be asleep? 5 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


43 


He found Bunny and Susan sleeping. So he 
went over to the house of the Merry Little Cot¬ 
ton-Tails. They were in their little beds and for 
once they were not merry. 

They cried, “Oh dear, oh dear! We feel so bad 
that we want to stay in bed, Grandpa Grumbles! 5 ' 

Grandpa Grumbles went home and woke Bunny 
and Susan. Then all three went over to see the 
Merry Little Cotton-Tails. 

Susan Cotton-Tail looked wise as she peered 
over her spectacles and said: 

“They are really ill, I fear; 

They must stay in bed, my dear. 55 

Bunny said, “My fur and whiskers! What is 
the matter, Susan? 55 

Susan said, “Haven’t you lived long enough to 
know measles when you see the signs? Bless my 
buttons! I know measles very well. No more 
circus for these bunnies for a long time! 55 

Said Grandpa Grumbles, “If this is true, 

My goodness, Susan, what shall we do? 55 


44 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS ‘ 



“We need a sign on the house to keep people 
out/ 5 said Susan. “You may put it up, Grandpa 
Grumbles/' 

So Grandpa Grumbles made a big red sign. He 
did not know how to spell the word 'measles/' So 
he wrote on the red card, “Better keep out of this 
house.” Then he tacked it up on the house. 

All this time, Bunny and Susan were taking care 
of the twenty-six little Cotton-Tails. They 
brought hot tea to the bunnies and gave them pills. 

Susan said, “Don't let them kick their covers 
off, Bunny. They must stay tucked up warm in 
bed or thev will catch cold.” 

j 

The Cotton-Tails did not like to stay in bed. 
They wanted to be out practicing their circus tricks. 

At last Grandpa Grumbles said, “I will tell them 
a story. That will keep them quiet.” 

“Hurrah! Tell us a story, Grandpa Grumbles,” 
cried the twenty-six little Cotton-Tails. 






MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


45 


So Grandpa Grumbles scratched around in his 
head for a story. Just then Bushy-Tail jumped 
in at the window. 

“Don't tell about cookies!” he shouted. “I am 
sick of cookies!” 

Then Bunny said, “Please do not tell about can¬ 
dles or burned paws.” 

Susan said, “Please do not tell about lost specta¬ 
cles.” 

And the little Cotton-Tails wailed, "Don’t say 
a word about bunnies with the measles." 

Grandpa Grumbles looked very cross and said, 
“How can I say a word about anything when I am 
interrupted all the time w ?” 

After that, everybody kept very still, while 
Grandpa Grumbles thought up his story. But 
before he could tell it, the doorbell rang. Then 
the telephone rang. Then the little Cotton-Tails 
all had to have a drink of water. 

It was an hour before the house was still. By 
that time, Grandpa Grumbles had forgotten the 
story he was going to tell! 


46 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


PLAYING SANTA CLAUS 

The little Cotton-Tails had the measles very 
hard and had to stay in bed for days and days. 
They did not like this at all, for it was almost 
Christmas. 

Grandpa Grumbles came every day and told 
them stories of Santa Claus. Then they told him 
what they wanted for Christmas. 

Snubby Nose said, “I want Santa Claus to bring 
me a big peppermint candy cane, striped red and 
white. And I want a whole wagon-load of toys! 
I can hardly wait for Santa Claus to come!” 

Tippy Toes said: 

“If I had a horn to toot, 

I could blow a fine salute.” 

Pink Ears cried: 

“I can have no fun at all 
Unless he brings a rubber ball.” 

Bunny Boy said: 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


47 


“I could have the finest lark, 

If he’d bring a Noah’s Ark.” 

Grandpa Grumbles scratched his head and 
thought very hard. Then he stole away home and 
got out his moneybags. He began to count his 
money, though he could not count straight to save 
his life. 

“I have enough to fill every stocking,” he said 
aloud. “I’ll buy all the best toys in the store. I’ll 
go this very night.” 

His green cotton Umbrella heard him and be¬ 
gan to talk. It said, “Why do we have to go to¬ 
night? Can’t we wait till to-morrow?” 

Grandpa Grumbles growled, “Less noise, sir! 
You talk too much, sir! To-morrow is Christmas 
and then it will be too late.” 

The Umbrella said, “If you are going to play 
Santa Claus, you should get a sack for the toys.” 

So Grandpa Grumbles hunted around and found 
a big empty sack. Then he put on a big red coat 
and cap, both trimmed with fur. He took the sack 
upon his shoulder. 


48 MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 

“Hurrah!” he cried. “Now I look just like San¬ 
ta Claus.” 

He put some moneybags in his pockets. He 
took his Umbrella and started out to visit the 
stores. 

In the street he met a funny little fellow with a 
long feather in his cap. 

“Good evening, Grandpa Grumbles,” said the 
little fellow with a polite bow. “I am Little Nut¬ 
cracker. I see you are going to play Santa Claus 
to the Merry Little Cotton-Tails. Let me take 
you to the store in my sleigh.” 

So Grandpa Grumbles rode to the store with him. 
They left the Umbrella in the sleigh and went into 
the store together. 

Grandpa Grumbles put his moneybags on the 
counter and shouted: 

“At buying presents I have no skill, 

Yet I have a row of stockings to fill!” 

Then the clerk helped Grandpa Grumbles choose 
presents for each of the Cotton-Tails. Now and 



“He put dolls and other toys and candy into Grandpa Grumbles’ sack'' 





















































































50 MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 

then Grandpa Grumbles counted them over on his 
fingers and thumbs, saying, “There’s Snubby Nose 
and there’s Pink Ears. And what shall I get Bun¬ 
ny and Susan 1 ?” 

The clerk ran to this shelf and ran to that shelf. 
He put dolls and other toys and candy into Grand¬ 
pa Grumbles’ sack. The sack grew heavier and 
heavier. 

He even remembered to buy candles for the Cot¬ 
ton-Tails’ Christmas tree. Then at the last min¬ 
ute he thought of something to use in trimming the 
windows. So he shouted: 

“Christmas time is far more j oily 
If we have a wreath of holly.” 

So the clerk put a wreath of holly in his pack. 

All this time, Little Nutcracker was buying some 
presents for his own children and watching Grand¬ 
pa Grumbles. 

At last Little Nutcracker said, “Grandpa Grum¬ 
bles, I know where you can find more rows of empty 
stockings to fill. They are the stockings of very 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


51 



“He filled it with toys” 

poor children. Will you play Santa Claus to 
them?” 

Grandpa Grumbles had to grumble a little, so he 
said, “Too many poor! Too many empty stock¬ 
ings! Some one ought to fill them.” 

“I will show you where they are, Grandpa Grum¬ 
bles,” cried Little Nutcracker. 

“All right,” said Grandpa Grumbles. 

Then he bought a load of toys and candy for the 
poor- little children. Little Nutcracker helped 
him pack them into the sleigh. 

Away they rode together. They stopped at a 
house where an empty stocking hung by the fire- 




52 MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 

place. Grandpa Grumbles filled it with toys. 

Then he and Little Nutcracker rode on. They 
filled many empty stockings that night. 

At last Grandpa Grumbles went home. The 
Merry Little Cotton-Tails were in bed asleep. He 
filled all their stockings and trimmed the Christmas 
tree. 

He grumbled to himself because he was so tired. 


CHRISTMAS MORNING 

Early Christmas morning Grandpa Grumbles 
was awakened by a great noise. It was the green 
cotton Umbrella thumping and banging upstairs. 
The Umbrella was much excited. 

It cried. “Come down, Grandpa Grumbles, and 
see what you got for Christmas. Such a big sur- 
prise! 

So Grandpa Grumbles followed the Umbrella 
downstairs. All the little Cotton-Tails came 
tumbling after him. They could scarcely wait to 
see their presents. 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


53 


There by the Christmas tree was a new silk um¬ 
brella for Grandpa Grumbles from the Merry Lit¬ 
tle Cotton-Tails. It was indeed a big surprise! 

All the little Cotton-Tails danced up and down, 
and shouted, “Merry Christmas!” 

Grandpa Grumbles was so pleased that he gave 
them each a big bear’s hug. 

Everybody looked pleased except the green cot¬ 
ton Umbrella. 

It said, “I am not sure that I shall like another 
umbrella!” 


THE TWO UMBRELLAS 

Said the cotton Umbrella, “How do you do? 
Can you sail in the air? Are you magic, too?” 
Said the silk Umbrella, “Let me explain; 

I’m a common umbrella; I keep off the rain.” 

Said the cotton Umbrella, “You look so bright 
That I’m sure you could fly like the paper kite!” 
Said the silk Umbrella, “Let me explain; 

I can only open and shut again.” 


54 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


Said the cotton Umbrella, “You can’t decline; 

Come, show me your tricks and I’ll show mine!” 

Said the silk Umbrella, “Let me explain; 

I’m useful only in sunshine or rain!” 

GRANDPA GRUMBLES’ UMBRELLAS 

By and by Grandpa Grumbles’ birthday came 
around. He was three hundred and nine years 
old! And what do you suppose? 

The Merry Little Cotton-Tails gave him a new 
Umbrella. It was a Japanese LTmbrella. 

He already had two Umbrellas. There was the 
old cotton LTmbrella; and there was the silk Um¬ 
brella the bunnies had given him for Christmas. 

When the Japanese Umbrella saw Grandpa 
Grumbles, it began to talk. 

It said: 

“In Japan now, if you please, 

Children bow on bended knees, 

Leave their shoes outside the door, 

And read books back side before!” 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


55 


“Dear me!” cried Grandpa Grumbles. “Now 
isn’t that interesting?” 

The silk Umbrella was pleased to see the Jap¬ 
anese Umbrella, and said : 

“Japanese Umbrella, how are you? 

I see your dress is gay and new!” 

The Japanese Umbrella bowed very politely. 

But the old cotton Umbrella scowled at it and 
said to Grandpa Grumbles : 

“Too many strangers now I see; 

Far too many Umbrellas for me!” 

Grandpa Grumbles thanked the Merry Little 
Cotton-Tails for their pretty birthday present. He 
said he had never seen anything so fine. 

After they had gone, he shook his head and 
growled to himself: 

“But whether I travel east or west, 

I like the old Umbrella best!” 

This made the green cotton Umbrella very 
happy indeed. You see, it had been afraid that 


56 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


Grandpa Grumbles would not take it along on 
his travels. It was afraid he might like the new 
Umbrellas best. 

One day the old green cotton Um¬ 
brella was missing. Grandpa Grum¬ 
bles could not find it anywhere. The 
Merry Little Cotton-Tails looked for 
it indoors and outdoors. 

Just then Bushy-Tail came limping 
along, pretending to be lame. He was 
looking very sly. He asked what was 
the matter. The bunnies told him. 

He said to Grandpa Grumbles: 

“Your Umbrella I had to borrow; 

I will bring it back to-morrow!” 

“Had to borrow it?” shouted Grandpa Grum¬ 
bles. “Why did you have to borrow it?” 

“I had a leak in the roof of my house,” said 
Bushy-Tail very sadly. 

The Merry Little Cotton-Tails asked, “Did the 
Umbrella stop the leak in the roof?” 



MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


57 


Bushy-Tail looked cross-eyed and said: 

“I held the Umbrella over my head; 

I held the Umbrella open in bed.” 

Then he ran off down the road as fast as he could. 

Grandpa Grumbles was angry. He shook his 
paws at Bushy-Tail. 

The Merry Little Cotton-Tails cried, “We will 
run after Bushy-Tail and ask him to bring back 
your Umbrella.” 

Just then Bunny and Susan Cotton-Tail came 
down the road and stopped at Grandpa Grumbles’ 
house. 

“What do you think?” they cried. “We met 
the old Umbrella walking along the road. We 
were surprised to see it walk so well!” 

At that very moment the old Umbrella came 
flying over their heads. It leaped to the ground 
and walked over to Grandpa Grumbles. 

It said to Bunny and Susan: 

“I walk, of course. What did you suppose? 

I walk and I fly and I open and close!” 


58 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


“Where have you been, old Umbrella?” cried 
Grandpa Grumbles. 

“Bushy-Tail tried to steal me,” said the Um¬ 
brella, “but I ran away from him. I don’t like 
that old fox!” 

The Merry Little Cotton-Tails shouted, “Bor¬ 
row ! He said he borrowed you!” 

And they laughed until they cried. 

ALL ABOARD! 

Bunnies may have many tumbles, 

Riding with old Grandpa Grumbles, 

When that funny grumbling bear 
In his Umbrella takes the air. 

Hark! the Cotton-Tails all shout, 

“All aboard! Now don’t fall out!” 

Through the trees the strong wind rumbles, 
When they ride with Grandpa Grumbles. 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


59 



GETTING READY FOR THE CIRCUS 

By and by the Merry Little Cotton-Tails recov¬ 
ered from the measles. Christmas had passed and 
the holidays were over. 

The bunnies began to plan for their circus. 

They said, “We must give a big show and have 
a street parade.” 

Grandpa Grumbles asked, “Who will lead the 
parade 4 ?” 

Just then Bushy-Tail came along and said, “I 
will lead the parade. I will beat the drum. I 
have beaten the drum in a circus before.” 

Grandpa Grumbles said, “Our circus should 
have a band. I will play the fife.” 

Susan and Bunny cried, “Let us ride on the band 
wagon.” 




60 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


The elephants and other circus animals said 
nothing at all. But they were ready for the 
parade. 

Just then Snubby Nose began to scream and 
howl. 

“I want to lead the parade!” he howled. “Why 
may I not lead the parade?” 

Grandpa Grumbles scowled at him and said, 
“Too much noise, sir! You’ll make us all deaf.” 

Tippy Toes danced up to Grandpa Grumbles 
and said, “Oh, Grandpa Grumbles, shouldn’t all 
the Cotton-Tails have clown suits to wear in the 

parade?” 

Sure enough, you should!” 
cried Grandpa Grumbles. 
“You must buy them at 
once. Snubby Nose, run to 

the cellar 
and bring 
up one of 
my money- 

Snubby Nose began to scream and howl” bags.” 





MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


61 


“Bringing Grandpa Grumbles’ bag of money” 

Snubby Nose stopped howling and ran to the 
cellar. He had already forgotten about leading 
the parade and could think of nothing but his new 
clown suit. Back he came, bringing Grandpa 
Grumbles’ bag of money. 

' Grandpa Grumbles gave each little Cotton-Tail 
enough money to buy a clown suit. And away 
they went to town to get their suits. 

Some of the suits were spotted, while others were 
striped or checked. A funny pointed cap went 
with each suit. My, but the little Cotton-Tails 
were proud of their suits! 





62 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


They brought an extra clown suit for Grandpa 
Grumbles. At first he did not want to wear it. 

He said: 

“I won’t try it on at all; 

’Twill be too large or else too small.” 

But when the little Cotton-Tails begged him to 
try it on, he did. And it fitted very well. Grandpa 
Grumbles was pleased. 

He said, “Now I am ready for the big parade.” 

The circus animals began to come out of the tent 
for the parade. The elephants marched two and 
two. The little Cotton-Tails marched beside 
them. Bushy-Tail marched in front and beat his 
drum. 

Then just as everyone was ready to start, Susan 
Cotton-Tail lost her glasses. Everyone hunted 
for them. 

Bunny and Susan looked for them all over the 
house. Bunny lighted a candle and looked in the 
garret for them. Of course he burned his paw. 

By the time Grandpa Grumbles and the little 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


63 


Cotton-Tails had found Susan’s glasses and bound 
up Bunny’s burned paw, it was too late for the 
parade. So they all went to bed. 

Next day it rained and there could be no parade. 

“Come over to my house and we will have a 
candy pull.” said Grandpa Grumbles to the Merry 
Little Cotton-Tails. 

So they all came and they had a fine time. Susan 
made molasses candy and they all pulled it. She 
gave each bunny a ball of taffy to pull. 

Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes put their balls 
together and pulled the taffy out in a long rope. 
They played it was a skipping rope. 

They had a lot of fun until Snubby Nose got 
the sticky candy all over his paws and his tail. 
Susan and Grandpa Grumbles had to wash him in 
hot water to get it off. And my, but he screamed 
and howled! 


64 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 





THE BIG PARADE 

Next morning the little Cotton-Fails were up 
bright and early, for the sun was shining. All 
around the circus tents everyone was as busy as 
could be. 

“This is the day of the big parade. Everyone 
get into line!” shouted Grandpa Grumbles. 

So the Merry Little Cotton-Tails took their 
places. Bushy-Tail began to beat his drum and 
and the circus animals began to march. 

Suddenly Grandpa Grumbles stopped right in 
the middle of the road. He was so excited that 
he almost burst out his clown suit. 

“Where is my green cotton Umbrella 4 ?” he 
shouted. “I have left it behind. We must go 
back for it!” 

The twenty-six little Cotton-Tails dropped 







“The twenty-six little Cotton-Tails dropped down in the road” 



















66 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


down in the road and screamed and wailed at the 
top of their voices. They did not want to go back. 
Yet back they went with the rest of the parade. 

Everyone hunted a long time for the lost Um¬ 
brella, but nobody found it. 

Then what do you suppose? There was the 
biggest thumping and bumping on Grandpa 
Grumbles 5 front steps. And in walked the green 
cotton Umbrella as coolly as you please! 

Grandpa Grumbles cried, “Oh, there you are! 
Were you out for a walk ? 55 

The Umbrella said, “Yes, Grandpa Grumbles, 
I went to take a look at the weather. The silk Um¬ 
brella teased me until I took it with me. It is no 
good at walking. It is only a common umbrella— 
used to keep off the rain. I had to drag it home. 
I don't think much of that Umbrella, Grandpa 
Grumbles ! 55 

Everyone was glad the green cotton Umbrella 
was found. Now the big parade could start. This 
time nothing happened to stop it. 

All the animals scrambled into their places. The 




“The Colton-Tail band marched Urst” 













68 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


Cotton-Tail band marched first. Grandpa Grum¬ 
bles played the fife and Bushy-Tail played the 
drum. 

Next came the elephants, the camels, the horses, 
and the animal wagons, and then the Cotton-Tail 
clowns. Some of the Cotton-Tails rode the ele¬ 
phants. Others carried gay banners. It was a fine 
sight. 

The parade went through all the streets of the 
town, and all the people came out and cheered. 
Then the animals marched back to the circus tent, 
and the big show began. 

Bushy-Tail stood at the door, beating his drum 
and taking tickets. 

Inside, the Cotton-Tail band played for the 
animals to march into the ring. 

Snubby Nose walked the tight rope and balanced 
an umbrella in his paw. Pink Ears stood on her 
front paws on the elephant’s head. 

Then the white trick horse trotted into the ring 
with Bunny Boy on its back. It danced around 
while Bunny Boy stood on its back and did tricks. 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


69 


Tippy Toes was a very funny clown. He 
jumped through a hoop. 

It was the finest circus the animals had ever seen. 
They all went home happy. 

My, but they were tired! Grandpa Grumbles 
was so tired that he went straight to bed. 

HOME AGAIN 

Next morning Grandpa Grumbles was up a lit¬ 
tle late. 

He went downstairs, calling, “Good morning, 
Susan. Good morning, Bunny.” 

Nobody answered him. The house was silent. 
Then he looked out of the window for the Merry 
Little Cotton-Tails. The house next door was 
empty and the tent was gone. 

Grandpa Grumbles began to scold, saying: 

“I don’t like to be still as a mouse; 

I don’t like it so quiet in my house!” 

Then he looked for Bunny and Susan. All he 


70 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


found was a note from them. It said they had 
grown homesick and had gone home. 

Grandpa Grumbles found another note from 
the Merry Little Cotton-Tails. They said they 
had gone traveling with the circus. 

Grandpa Grumbles growled to himself, “It is 
too lonesome for me to stay here alone. I will 
pack up my moneybags and go on a visit to Bunny 
and Susan.” 

So he packed his moneybags and took his green 
cotton Umbrella. And off he started to the house 
of Bunny and Susan. 

All this time, Bunny and Susan were safe and 
happy in their own little house. 

Bunny said over and over again, “I am glad to 
be at home once more. Aren’t you, Susan?” 

Susan said she was glad, too. As night came, 
she lighted a candle and put it in the window. 

She said, “Perhaps Grandpa Grumbles will call. 
This candle will show him the wav.” 

Bunny said, “Perhaps the Merry Little Cotton- 
Tails will call, too.” 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


71 



“The house of Bunny and Susan” 


Soon Bunny and Susan heard a patter, patter, 
patter outside the house. Suddenly the Merry 
Little Cotton-Tails came tumbling in at the doors 
and the windows. 

Snubby Nose shouted, “We’ve come to visit you, 
Susan.” 

Tippy Toes cried, “We’re glad to see you safe 
at home. We came to visit you. We are tired of 
going with the circus.” 

Then all the Merry Little Cotton-Tails danced 
a jig. They were so funny that Susan and Bunny 
laughed until they cried. 

“Now if Grandpa Grumbles would only come!” 
said Susan. 




















72 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


Then what do you suppose ? That very minute, 
in walked Grandpa Grumbles! How they all 
shouted! 

He was really very glad to see the Cotton-Tails. 
But he was tired and felt like grumbling. 

So he growled: 

“I only came to have a bunny 
Help me count my bags of money!” 

The Merry Little Cotton-Tails shouted, “We 
will help you count your money, Grandpa Grum¬ 
bles.” 

But Grandpa Grumbles only shook his head. 

“Too many bunnies! Too many bunnies!” he 
grumbled. 

Susan gave him a nice seat by the open fire. Then 
she put the teakettle on to boil. She made tea for 
everyone, and all had a merry time. 

By and by Susan sent the Merry Little Cotton- 
Tails to bed. They all went but Snubby Nose. 
He did not want to go to bed. 

“I will help Grandpa Grumbles count his 



“Snubby Nose counted the money in each bag” 








































74 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


money,” said this clever little bunny. “Somebody 
must help Grandpa Grumbles!” 

So Susan said he might stay up for awhile. 

Then she and Bunny sat on the sofa beside the 
fireplace and watched Grandpa Grumbles count his 
money. He spread his moneybags out on the floor. 
Snubby Nose counted the money in each bag. 

All the time Grandpa Grumbles counted, too, 
saying over and over to himself: 

“My counting is a little queer; 

Sometimes it’s not quite straight, I fear. 

And then again, it’s sometimes slow; 

The figures get ahead, you know! 

And though I try with all my might, 

I cannot count those figures right!” 

' The Merry Little Cotton-Tails and Grandpa 
Grumbles visited Bunny and Susan for a week. 

They all rested. They told stories. They 
played games. Then the Cotton-Tails and Grand¬ 
pa Grumbles went home. 

They were ready for more adventures. They all 
went traveling for a year and a day. 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


75 



SNUBBY NOSE AND TIPPY TOES 

Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes 
Are dancing as you see; 

Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes 
Are merry company. 

Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes 
Are bowing now to you; 

Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes 
Say, “How do you doT’ 

Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes 
Sing a little song; 

Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes, 
Dancing all day long. 


76 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


DANCING AWAY 

Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes liked to dance so 
well that they said one day to each other, “Let us 
leave the Merry Little Cotton-Tails to-day and 
dance away.” 

Where were they going, do you suppose, 
Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes'? 

Snubby Nose said: 

“I want to travel to the west; 

I really think that road is best.” 

Tippy Toes sang: 

“I do not care now in the least, 

But still I’ll travel toward the east.” 

Snubby Nose stood with his little nose pointing 
north. He said: 

“Right is east and left is west; 

Take the road you like the best.” 

So Snubby Nose went west and Tippy Toes 


went east. 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


77 


They danced away on the tips of their toes, 
singing: 

"Who’ll meet again, do you suppose 4 ? 

Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes.” 

A BUNNY IN A SNOWDRIFT 

Bunny Cotton-Tail grew old and gray. 

As he and Susan sat by the fire one winter eve¬ 
ning, he said: 

Tm old and take so many tumbles, 

I’m almost like Old Grandpa Grumbles.” 

Susan said: 

“I’m young as ever, I declare; 

How I enjoy my rocking-chair!” 

Susan said, “You do not look old to me, Bunny. 
Read me the news.” 

Bunny Cotton-Tail read all the news from the 
Cotton-Tail newspaper. He read by firelight and 
candlelight, because he said electric light hurt his 
old eyes. 


78 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 



“Saw a little bunny” 


Susan went on rocking to and fro, knitting some 
warm socks for Bunny. 

Before they knew it, they were nid-nid-nodding. 

By and by they woke up with a jerk, and Bunny 
said: 

“When the night is chilly, I never tire 
Of warming my paws by the blazing fire.” 

Susan said, “What a long time it is since we 
have had any visitors!” 

Just then they heard a sound. 

“Can it be the Snow-man 1 ?” asked Susan. 

“Can it be Grandpa Grumbles?” asked Bunny. 

Bunny and Susan went to the window to look 
out. They looked out of the window and saw a 
little bunny. He was in a snowdrift. 

He cried, “Get me out! Get me out!” 




































MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TATLS 


79 



“He cried while Susan sang to him” 


Bunny ran for a snow shovel, and Susan ran for 
the wheelbarrow. 

They shoveled the little fellow out of the snow. 
"Who is it?” said Bunny. “Who do you sup¬ 
pose?” 

Said Susan, “It’s dear little Snubby Nose.” 
Snubby Nose cried: 

I am cold, as you would suppose, 

From the tip of my nose to my tiny toes.” 










80 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 



“Talked to the Snow-man” 


“Hurry, hurry,” said Susan. "We will give the 
little fellow a hot bath.” 

“Hurry, hurry,” said Bunny. “He must stop 
crying.” 

Now Snubby Nose cried for an hour and five 
minutes! He cried all through his nice warm bath. 
He cried while Susan sang to him! He cried while 
Bunny gave him a bag of candy! 

Suddenly he looked out of the window. He 
saw the Snow-man. 

Then he began to laugh. He laughed so hard 
the tears rolled down his checks. 

He said, “What a funny old Snow-man that is!” 

He went out and talked to the Snow-man. 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


81 


THE BROKEN NOSE 

Bunny Cotton-Tail said, “Who will our next 
visitor be?” 

Susan said, “I wish Grandpa Grumbles would 
come next.” 

Just at that minute they heard a great noise and 
a thump—thump—thump. 

Here came Grandpa Grumbles with his green 
cotton Umbrella. 

He came in shaking off the snow and grumbling. 

He said, “Good evening, everyone, 

Til have to get my grumbling done; 

I often grumble just for fun; 

Good evening now to everyone.” 

The green cotton Umbrella stood in the corner 
and stared very hard at Snubby Nose. 

At last it said, “Funny-looking nose! Don’t you 
think so, Grandpa Grumbles?” 

It was not a very polite thing to say. But 



82 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


Snubby Nose really did have the ugliest little nose 
in the world. 

Grandpa Grumbles was not listening to the Um¬ 
brella. 

He was saying, “I had a dreadful time getting 
here. I fell into a snowdrift and got very wet!” 

This made Snubby Nose remember his own tum¬ 
ble into the snowdrift. He began to cry again. 
Susan had to put him to bed. 

Then Grandpa Grumbles 5 head went nid-nod¬ 
ding and he was soon asleep. Bunny and Susan 
fell asleep, too, by the fire. Snubby Nose fell 
asleep upstairs in his wee bed. He began to walk 
in his sleep. He did not know he was walking in 
his sleep. 

Poor Snubby Nose fell downstairs and broke his 
nose. He woke Grandpa Grumbles and Bunny 
and Susan. 

‘‘Help! help ! 55 cried Bunny. 

”Help! help ! 55 cried Susan. “Bring the cam¬ 
phor. Bring the doctor ! 55 

Grandpa Grumbles woke up and shouted: 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


83 



“There stood Doctor Cotton-Tail” 


“Oh, sir, you have too many tumbles! 

You disturb old Grandpa Grumbles.” 

At this very minute a rap-a-tap was heard on the 
door. There on the doorstep stood Doctor Cot¬ 
ton-Tail. 

He said: 

“I’ll stop a minute, that is*all; 

I’m on my way to make a call; 

And perhaps if no one cares, 

I’ll take a nap upon the stairs!” 

Doctor Cotton-Tail set the poor little nose. 
Snubby Nose cried and howled. 

Doctor Cotton-Tail said: 






























MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


S4 


“I was going to visit—whom do you suppose? 

Come, guess for a minute. Snubby Nose/’ 

Just then Susan began to sneeze and made a 

great noise, and Bunny burned his whiskers in the 
candle. So Snubby Nose had no time to guess 
where Doctor Cotton-Tail was going. 

Grandpa Grumbles cried: 

“Such a noise I never heard! 

Cotton-Tails, vou are absurd/’ 

Then Doctor Cotton-Tail saw Grandpa Grum¬ 
bles. 

Said Grandpa Grumbles, “It appears 
I’ve not seen you for years and years.” 

This made them all laugh, for Grandpa Grum¬ 
bles and Doctor Cotton-Tail often met. 

The funny old fellows stood and talked for a 
long time. 

No one could guess where Doctor Cotton-Tail 
was going. 

So by and by he said: 



“It appears I’ve not seen you for years and years” 








































































































86 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


“You never can guess now, I suppose; 

I was going to call on Tippy Toes.” 

Snubby Nose said, “I left him going east while 
I went west. What has happened to Tippy 

Toes?” 

Then Grandpa Grumbles went off with Doctor 
Cotton-Tail. 

Bunny and Susan said, “Doctor Cotton-Tail did 
not tell us what was the matter with Tippy Toes. 
We must ask him.” 

THE SICK BUNNY 

“Tippy Toes,” the doctor said, 

“You must spend the day in bed; 

You’ve a cold in your head.” 

That is what the doctor said. 

Tippy says, “I’ll try to do 
What the doctor tells me to; 

But, oh dear! It makes me blue, 

Doing what he tells me to!” 



MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


87 



“Tippy Toes is snug in bed” 


Tippy Toes is snug in bed; 

See the pillow at his head; 

See the pretty checkered spread! 

Tippy Toes is snug in bed. 

GOING ON A VISIT 

One day Tippy Toes said to his mother, “I want 
to go and visit Bunny and Susan Cotton-Tail. 
May I pack my traveling bag?” 

His mother said, “You may pack your traveling 
bag. You may visit Bunny and Susan. But you 
should wear your overshoes.” 

Tippy Toes said, “Mother, do I have to wear my 
overshoes?” 

His mother said: 





88 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


“Dear Tippy Toes, I hope you’ll try 
Always to keep your feet quite dry. 

As sure as you’re one of my little Rabbits, 

I hope you’ll form some healthy habits.” 

So Tippy Toes put on his overshoes and went 
tripping down the road. He called back: 

“To form health habits I will try; 

Mother dear, good-bye, good-bye.” 

His mother called: 

“You mustn’t go yet, dear Tippy Toes; 
Who’ll wash dishes, do you suppose*?” 

Tippy Toes had forgotten to wash the dishes. 
He came back, of course, and began to wash dishes 
and plates very fast. 

Tippy Toes washed them all and put them in 
neat piles on the table. 

The Kitchen Clock said: _ 

k His work is done, and away he goes; 
Hurrah! hurrah for Tippy Toes!” 

Then he started on his journey to visit Bunny 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


89 



and Susan. He carried his traveling bag, and sang. 
“If I had four-and-twenty wishes, 

I’d never, never wash the dishes; 

Now this is what I really mean: 

I’d simply wish those dishes clean! 

He went along until he came to the house of 
Bunny and Susan. They came out to meet him. 

They were very glad to see him. 

They said, "You must make us a long visit, Tip- 

py 1 oes. 














































































































90 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


A BUCKET OF WATER 

One day Tippy Toes danced down to the well to 
get a bucket of water for Susan Cotton-Tail. 

He sang to himself: 

“Who put poor Pussy in the well? 

How one could do it, I can’t tell.” 

Just then he met old Grandpa Grumbles. 
Grandpa Grumbles said: 

“A cat has nine lives, I’ve heard tell, 

Who says, 'Poor Pussy in the well’?” 

Tippy Toes said, “I love to read about poor 
Pussy in Mother Goose.” 

Grandpa Grumbles said, “I love to read about: 

The old oaken bucket, 

The iron-bound bucket, 

The moss-covered bucket, 

Which hung in the well.’ ” 

« 

All this time Susan Cotton-Tail was waiting tor 
a bucket of water. She rang a tea bell and said: 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


91 



“Tinkle, tinkle, tinkle, 

Goes my little hell; 

Tinkle, tinkle, tinkle, 

Who is at the well?” 

She said to herself, “Dear me, what a long time 
Tippy Toes takes! I wonder what is the matter.” 

She put on her spectacles and went hopping 
along to the well. She saw Tippy Toes and 
Grandpa Grumbles at the well. 

Susan pushed her spectacles up on her forehead 
and said: 

“Without some water, I don’t see 
How I can make my Bunny’s tea.” 








92 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


/, 

"Pushed her spectacles up on her forehead” 

Just then they all set up a shout, for they saw 
Bunny Cotton-Tail coming. He had grown tired 
of waiting and had come to find Susan. 

He said: 

“Some stories I could tell 
About the fox and goat in the well!” 

Then they all told stories and had a good time. 
It was evening when they got home. 

Grandpa Grumbles said: 

“I notice every afternoon 
That evening seems to come too soon.” 

Then they all laughed, for they had been at the 
well all day. 





MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


93 


BUSHY-TAIL’S MISTAKE 

One day Tippy Toes went walking through the 
woods. He saw Bushy-Tail, the fox, sitting on a 

log. 

Bushy-Tail laughed until his red tongue hung 
out of his mouth. 

He said: 

“I like to see where a bunny goes; 

Are you out for a walk, dear Snubby Nose?” 

Tippy Toes said to himself, “That’s funny. He 
thinks I am Snubby Nose.” 

Then he bowed politely and said aloud: 

“Bushy-Tail, if you are my friend, 

Just show me the way to the rainbow’s end.” 

Bushy-Tail laughed again and said: 

“You have fine manners, as everyone knows; 
And where did you learn them, dear Snubby 
Nose?” 

Just then Grandpa Grumbles and Doctor Cot- 



“He saw Bushy-Tail sitting on a log” 




























































MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


95 


ton-Tail came walking slowly through the woods. 
Grandpa Grumbles was saying: 

“I like to walk in the woods when it snows; 
Well, if there isn’t dear little Snubby Nose!” 

Tippy Toes made them a fine bow and hurried 

on his way. 

* 

He laughed to himself to think they all took him 
for Snubby Nose. 

Now Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes looked so 
much alike that they might have been twins. But 
Snubby Nose had very bad manners, while Tippy 
Toes was a polite little Bunny. 

“What a funny mistake for Bushy-Tail and 
old Grandpa Grumbles to make!” cried Tippy 
Toes. 

4 » 

SNUBBY NOSE AND THE MIRROR 

Snubby Nose, Snubby Nose, 

Dancing up and down; 

Snubby Nose, Snubby Nose, 

Acting like a clown; 


96 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 



"Funny little Snubby Nose” 


To the mirror now he goes, 
Funny little Snubby Nose! 

Snubby Nose, Snubby Nose, 
Dancing all the day; 
Snubby Nose, Snubby Nose, 
Full of fun and play; 

And the mirror laughs to see 
Snubby dance so merrily. 









MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


97 


BUSHY-TAIL’S TRICKS 

One day Bushy-Tail said to himself, “The Cot¬ 
ton-Tail family are so happy, I will play a trick on 
them.” 

•So he sat down and thought a long time. He 
could not think what trick to play on Bunny and 
Susan Cotton-Tail. 

Bushy-Tail thought all day and all night. At 
last he thought of a fine way to tease the Cotton- 
Tails. 

He trotted through the woods. He went 
straight to the home of the Cotton-Tails. He did 
not go in by the door or the windows. He climbed 
up on the roof. 

He switched his long tail to and fro, saying: 

“The Cotton-Tails are in a fix, 

For Bushy-Tail is playing tricks.” 

He poked his tail down the chimney and . 
switched it around. 


98 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


Then soot began to come down the chimney. It 
covered the floor. 

' Dear me! What is the matter?” asked Bunny 
and Susan Cotton-Tail. 

Bushy-Tail was sweeping the chimney with his 
long tail! 

Tippy Toes saw that something must be done. 
So he ran out of the house and called to Bushy-Tail 
on the roof. 

"That is a fine trick you played, Bushy-Tail,” 
he said. “Come down and let us dance together.” 

Bushy-Tail was pleased. He came down from 
the roof and began to dance with Tippy Toes. To 
and fro they danced in the snow. 

Soon Grandpa Grumbles came along. He went 
into the house to see Bunny and Susan. 

He saw soot all over the house. There was soot 
on the carpet and chairs and tables. 

Grandpa Grumbles said, “My, what a dirty 
house! Tippy Toes and I will clean it for you, 

O 55 

Susan. 

Susan cried, ‘ Bless my buttons, Grandpa 



p 

•rr| 

I* 

m 


“Called to Bushy-Tail on the roof” 

























































100 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


Grumbles! Will you? How very kind you are!” 

So Grandpa Grumbles got a big broom and went 
to work. Tippy Toes stopped dancing and got 
his broom. 

As he worked he sang: 

“Little broom, little broom, 

Help me sweep the pretty room; 

Little broom, little broom. 

We’ll be tidy soon. 

In the corners let us go, 

Sweeping all the dust, you know; 

Little broom, little broom, 

We’ll be tidy soon.” 


SNUBBY NOSE RETURNS 

One day Bunny and Susan Cotton-Tail looked 
out of their house and saw someone coming down 
the road. 

“Who can it be?” asked Susan. 

“It looks like Tippy Toes,” said Bunny. 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


101 



But it wasn’t Tippy Toes, for he was right there 
with Bunny and Susan. 

“Then it must be Snubby Nose!” cried Susan 
Cotton-Tail. 

Sure enough, it was Snubby Nose. He had come 
back from his journey. He had come straight to 
the Cotton-Tail house. 

Tippy Toes ran out of the house to meet him. 
They threw their arms around each other. My, 
but they were glad to see each other! 

“Did you have a fine journey, Snubby 6 ?” asked 
Tippy Toes. 

“Yes,” said Snubby Nose. “But I got very 
lonesome for you, Tippy. I came back to see you.” 



102 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


A JOLLY RIDE 

Grandpa Grumbles said: 

“Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes, 

I’m lonesome as can be; 

Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes, 

♦ 

I’ll take you home with me.” 

Tippy Toes cried, ‘ Hurrah! May we go sailing 
home with you in your Umbrella, Grandpa 

Grumbles 4 ?” 

“Of course you may,” said Grandpa Grumbles. 
Snubby Nose cried and howled, and said, “I 
don’t want to go home with you, Grandpa Grum¬ 
bles. I want to stay with Bunny and Susan.” 

Grandpa Grumbles said, “No excuses, sir! Come 
into the Umbrella!” ^ , 3 

So they all got into the Umbrella and sailed 
aw^ay. Grandpa Grumbles laughed when Snubby 
Nose would not sit still. 

He said: 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


103 



“They got into the Umbrella and sailed away” 


"He will have a heavy fall 
If he tumbles out—that’s all!” 

Tippy Toes said, “Do be careful, Snubby Nose.” 
Snubby Nose jumped around in the Umbrella 
and said: 

“Ha! ha! ha! who cares for tumbles? 
Answer me, old Grandpa Grumbles!” 







104 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


NEW VISITORS 

While Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes and Grand¬ 
pa Grumbles were sailing away, Bunny and Susan 
were at home alone. 

Bunny said: 

“We shall have no visitors to-day, 

For they all have sailed away!” 

Susan said: 

“I quite agree with what you say, 

We shall have no visitors to-day.” 

Then Bunny and Susan had a surprise. 

The Seventeen Little Bears came tumbling in 
at the doors and windows! 

They cried: 

“We're Circus Bears, and we'll visit you; 

Bunny and Susan, how do you do?” 

Bunny and Susan said, “How long have you 
been Circus Bears?” 

The Seventeen Little Bears said: 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


105 



“Each bear <was sound asleep” 


“Our circus tricks are very new; 

Bunny and Susan, how do you do?” 

Then all the little bears went upstairs to bed. 
Before very long each bear was sound asleep. 

Next day the Seventeen Little Bears woke 
early. They went pitter-patter down the stairs. 

They made the nre and set the table. They put 
two quarts of water on to boil. When the water 
boiled they put in two tablespoonfuls of coffee. 
They let it boil twenty minutes. 

They cut nineteen slices of bread. 

Then they called: 

“Oh, Bunny and Susan, are you able 
To come down to the breakfast table? 
















106 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


Or shall we bring a breakfast tray, 

So you may eat in bed to-day?” 

Bunny and Susan said: 

“We feel as though we had no cares; 

Thank you, Seventeen Little Bears.” 

They said they would eat their breakfast at the 
table. They thought the Seventeen Little Bears 
were clever to learn to get breakfast. 

After breakfast the Seventeen Little Bears be¬ 
gan to slide down the banisters. One little bear 
fell on his head, and two little bears tumbled on 
their noses. 

Another little bear just turned a somersault. He 
sat and laughed as the others slid down the ban¬ 
isters. 

Bunny and Susan said, “Why do you slide down 
the banisters? Bring the camphor! Bring the 
smelling salts! Are you hurt?” 

Bunny said: 

“Why cry about a little fall? 

You are not hurt much, after all! 



“The Seventeen Little Bears began to slide down the banisters” 



























































































108 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


J Tis foolish for a bear to grumble 
Because he takes a little tumble!” 

The Seventeen Little Bears said: 

“We like to do our circus tricks; 

But will you not our bruises fix?” 

AN EXCITING RIDE 

The Seventeen Little Bears said, “Come, let us 
ride in the merry-go-round.” 

Bunny and Susan were glad to ride. 

Bushy-Tail said, “I will wind up the merry-go- 
round. I will start the music.” 

They began to ride round and round. They 
went faster and faster. 

The Seventeen Little Bears said, “The wind 
whistles in our ears.” 

Bunny said, “My fur and whiskers! Shall we 
never stop?” 

Susan said, “Bless my buttons! We go faster 
and faster. Bushy-Tail, please stop the merry-go- 
round!” 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


109 



Bushy-Tail said, “I will stop the merry-go-round 
if I may have Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes to 
visit me” 

Bunny and Susan said, “They may visit you. 
But they are not here. They are visiting Grandpa 
Grumbles / 5 

So Bushy-Tail stopped the merry-go-round. 
Then he ran away. 

He did not wait to say good-bye. He went off 
to find Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes. 

He said to himself: 

‘Til steal them, that is what HI do! 

I want some company, it 5 s true, 

Perhaps I 5 d like to eat them, too ! 55 

Bunny Cotton-Tail said, “Susan, let us send 






110 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


Grandpa Grumbles word that Bushy-Tail is on the 
way. He may be up to mischief.” 

Susan said : 

“I'll send him word without delay 
That Bushy-Tail is on his way.” 

A VISIT FROM BUSHY-TAIL 

Bushy-Tail came to Grandpa Grumbles' house 
and peeped in at the window. 

There he saw Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes 
playing games. 

He said: 

“I think I have a hungry habit; 

I should like to eat a rabbit.” 

Tippy Toes laughed, and danced to and fro. 
Snubby Nose cried: 

% 

“Don't come in at the window, don't come in at 
the door, 

Don't come down the chimney; for you've tried 
that before.” 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


111 



“Peeped in at the window” 


Bushy-Tail said, “I will come down the chimney 

* 

and eat you up.” 

Then Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes built a fire 
and the smoke came out of the chimney in puffs. 
It made Bushy-Tail cough and choke. 

He said, “I don 5 t want to come down the chim¬ 
ney or in at the door, or at the window. I don't 
want to eat you up. I was only teasing!” 

Snubby Nose said, “All the same, I am glad the 
windows are locked.” 

Tippy Toes said, “All the same, I am glad all the 
doors are fastened.” 

Bushy-Tail kept scolding: 

“I could eat you if I chose, 

Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes.” 














112 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 



“He fell into the lake” 


At that very moment, Grandpa Grumbles came 
sailing along in his Umbrella. He saw Bushy- 
Tail trying to get into the house. He was a wise 
old bear. 

He called to Bushy-Tail: 

“Bushy-Tail, come take a ride, 

There’s room for you and me inside.” 

Bushy-Tail saw that Snubby Nose and Tippy 

















MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


113 


Toes would not let him in. So he jumped into 
the Umbrella and rode away with Grandpa Grum¬ 
bles, over houses and woods and streams. 

Soon they came to a lake, and the Umbrella be¬ 
gan to drop downward toward the water. 

Bushy-Tail shouted, “Look out, Grandpa Grum¬ 
bles. We shall drop into the lake!” 

Grandpa Grumbles pretended not to hear. But 
he smiled to himself. 

The Umbrella dropped lower and lower. Bushy- 
Tail grew more scared every minute. He jumped 
around in the Umbrella until he fell into the lake. 

Away sailed Grandpa Grumbles alone in the 
LImbrella. 

Bushy-Tail had to swim to shore. He felt very 
cross. 

He said to himself, “I don’t like to ride in Grand¬ 
pa Grumbles’ Umbrella!” 


114 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 



WHERE IS BUSHY-TAIL 4 ? 

Sometimes Grandpa Grumbles pretended he was 
deaf. He did this when somebody asked him a 
question he did not want to answer. 

When he came to the Cotton-Tail house in his 
L^mbrella, Bunny and Susan asked, “Grandpa 
Grumbles, where did you leave Bushy-Tail to¬ 
day 4 ?” 

Grandpa Grumbles sat down by the fire and said : 

“Speak a little louder, dear, 

Speak distinctly, so I can hear.” 
















MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


115 



“Grandpa Grumbles sat down by the fire” 


Then Bunny shouted into his right ear, and 
Susan shouted into his left ear. Still Grandpa 
Grumbles pretended he did not hear. 

I suppose the Cotton-Tails would be wonder¬ 
ing yet what had become of Bushy-Tail, it the Um¬ 
brella had not spoken. 

The Umbrella said: 











































116 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


‘Tin always awake; I make no mistake; 

Bushy-Tail fell into the lake. 

But Bushy-Tail will swim to shore; 

I know this and plenty more. 5 ' 

A LESSON IN MANNERS 

One day the Merry Little Cotton-Tails came 
again to visit Bunny and Susan. 

They all sat down to the table to dinner. Sud¬ 
denly, to their surprise, the Thank-You Bunny 
jumped in at the window. 

He said: 

“Manners at table, manners at table, 
Practice them, if you are able. 

When any food is passed to you, 

Say 'Thank you/ as polite folk do / 5 

Now you know what a careless little bunny 
Snubby Nose was. He always forgot to be polite. 
So when the sugar bowl was passed to him, he never 
said, “Thank you 55 at all. 

And what do you suppose happened? When 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


117 



“It sailed away in the air” 


he tried to snatch the sugar bowl, it sailed away in 
the air! 

Snubby Nose screamed and howled. He tried 
to catch the sugar bowl. But it would not let him. 

Then Bunny Cotton-Tail said: 

“Snubby Nose, Snubby Nose, 

Have a care, have a care, 

Or all your food will sail 
Away up in the air!” 

This scared Snubby Nose. He wrinkled his 
funny little nose and thought very hard. 

At last he said: 






L18 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


"To say 'Thank you/ I am able, 

For sugar passed me at the table/’ 

Then the sugar bowl came sailing back and stood 
beside his plate. It let him take some sugar. 

All the Merry Little Cotton-Tails cried, "Hur¬ 
rah. hurrah!” 

SKATING AND SLEIGHING 

The Seventeen Little Bears put on their seven¬ 
teen little pairs of skates and went out to skate on 
the ice. 

But what do you suppose? They skated where 
the ice was thin; and splash! Away they went 
into the cold water. 

The Merry Little Cotton-Tails were skating 
near by. 

They cried, "Help, help! Who will help the 
Seventeen Little Bears?” 

Just then Doctor Cotton-Tail came by in his 
sleigh. 

He shouted: 



u They helped them into the sleigh” 























































































































































































120 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


“What did you say? What did you say? 

There’s room for seventeen in my sleigh!” 

Then all the little Cotton-Tails cried, “Hurrah! 
Hurrah for Doctor Cotton-Tail’s sleigh!” 

Doctor Cotton-Tail shouted, “Hurry, hurry! 
Get the Seventeen Little Bears out of the water. 
We will rub them dry and tuck them up in my 
sleigh.” 

The Merry Little Cotton-Tails and Doctor Cot¬ 
ton-Tail pulled the Seventeen Little Bears out of 
the water. They rubbed the bears dry and helped 
them into the sleigh. 

Then Doctor Cotton-Tail shouted, “All aboard!” 

My, what a sleigh full it was! How the sleigh 
bells rang! 

Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes hung on behind, 
as there was no room for them in the sleigh. 

They all sang : 

“Hurrah for the sleigh! Hurrah for the sleigh! 

We’re off and away, off and away.” 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


121 



TELLING STORIES 

The Seventeen Little Bears caught cold when 
they fell into the water. Their colds lasted sev¬ 
enteen days. All that time they had to stay in the 
house. 

Bunny and Susan and the Merry Little Cotton- 
Tails took turns telling them stories. 

Bunny told how he had read by candlelight and 
burned his paw. 

Susan told about how Bushy-Tail had stolen her 
pies. 

Then the Merry Little Cotton-Tails recited one 
hundred and six rhymes from Mother Goose. 








122 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 



"Susan told about how Bushy-Tail had stolen her pies” 


At that minute Grandpa Grumbles came sailing 
in at the window in his Umbrella. 

The Seventeen Little Bears ran to him and 
cried: ^ 

“Tell us a story in song or rhyme; 

Tell us something new this time.” 

So Grandpa Grumbles took a chair by the fire, 
and began, “Once upon a time I had a toy shop.” 

“Drums!” cried the first little bear. 













MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


123 


Then Grandpa Grumbles shook his Umbrella. 
Out of its folds came a beautiful red drum for the 
first little bear. 

“Tops!" shouted the second little bear. 

Again Grandpa Grumbles shook his Umbrella. 
Out came a top for the second little bear. 

So it went on. Every toy that was called for 
came out of the green cotton Umbrella. There was 
a tin horn for the smallest bear. 

There were toys for the Seventeen Little Bears 
and toys for the Merry Little Cotton-Tails. 

The Seventeen Little Bears said, “That is the 
best story we have ever heard. That is a fine way 
to tell a story!” 

Grandpa Grumbles said: 

“With you I always have such fun, 

I'll never get my grumbling done.” 

Without another word he sailed out of the win¬ 
dow. He left the smallest bear riding a wooden 
horse and playing Yankee Doodle on his tin horn. 


124 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 



“Garden days have come” 


PLANTING THE GARDEN 

Bring the rake and bring the hoe, 
Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes; 

Garden days have come, you know, 
Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes. 

Plant the seed in even rows, 
Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes; 

In the sun and rain it grows, 
Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes. 

Bring the rake and hoe again, 
Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes; 

Plant in sunshine and in rain, 
Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes. 






MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


125 



“Packed their little traveling bags” 


THE BUNNIES’ CIRCUS 

One day Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes packed 
their little traveling bags and said good-bye to 
Grandpa Grumbles. 

They were going home. They started off 
through the woods. 

Suddenly they heard the noise of a drum. They 
peeped out through the trees. They saw a circus 
parade marching along the road. 

Snubby Nose cried: 




126 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


“The Circus Cotton-Tails I see; 

They are just as merry as can be.” 

Tippy Toes cried: 

“The Circus Cotton-Tails won’t mind 
If we travel on behind!” 

Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes took up their 
traveling bags and joined the Circus Cotton-Tails. 
Soon Bunny and Susan joined the circus, too. 
Then Grandpa Grumbles joined. 

The Merry Little Cotton-Tails played in the 
band. Grandpa Grumbles played the fife. 

He wore a clown suit and said: 

“I never had so much fun in my life, 

I have stopped grumbling to play the fife!” 

Bushy-Tail made a good drummer. The ban¬ 
ners waved, and 

They played and played, they played and played, 

A year and a day in the big parade. 


Suddenly they stopped still. 



“They peeped out through the trees” 



























































128 


MERRY LITTLE COTTON-TAILS 


Bushy-Tail said, “We forgot to say good-bye to 
the animals in the woods!” 

They turned around and saw all the animals 
following them. 

Then they shouted to the animals, “Come on and 
join the circus, too.” 

Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes wore their little 
clown suits. Each one rode an elephant. 

Snubby Nose and Tippy Toes and all the other 
Merry Little Cotton-Tails sang: 

“Right foot, left foot! On we go. 

The big parade! The circus show! 

March, little Cotton-Tails, march with pride! 

Right foot, left foot, side by side.” 

Then they all marched away together. 


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